Zotac PI225 as PfSense box?

[Mind_001]

https://www.zotac.com/us/product/mini_pcs/pi225

 

I saw this on Linus's YT channel awhile ago, and I just got the thinking now.

 

Could I use this as a PFSense/IPFire box? I'm sure you can get an adapter to change those USB ports to Ethernet, right?

 

If I ever need more storage, I can always use a SD card...

 

Reason is, it is actually cheaper than standard PFSense boxes...

[Electronics Wizardy]

How cheap are you getting it? usb nics normally aren't great. For the amazon price, there are other solutions id pick first.

[Mind_001]

What? Like from Kansung?

[Electronics Wizardy]

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Fanless-Mini-ITX-D2500CCE-PD12TI/dp/B008KB5YCK

11 minutes ago, Mind_001 said:

What? Like from Kansung?

What is your total goal here? Router?

 

 

Do you need a diy router or will something like a edgerouter work here?

 

Otherwise, id just look at a used or mini itx system.

 

also look at this http://www.mini-box.com/M350-enclosure-with-picoPSU-80-and-60W-adapter

 

and put a itx board with a atom and dual nics.

 

also look at a system like this

 

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Fanless-Mini-ITX-D2500CCE-PD12TI/dp/B008KB5YCK

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/JHDWBb
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/JHDWBb/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($57.65 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - H110M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($64.99 @ Newegg Business)
Memory: G.Skill - NT Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($37.98 @ Newegg Business)
Storage: Patriot - Burst 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($26.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - BR 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($15.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $239.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-08-05 23:50 EDT-0400

[Mind_001]

3 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Fanless-Mini-ITX-D2500CCE-PD12TI/dp/B008KB5YCK

What is your total goal here? Router?

 

 

Do you need a diy router or will something like a edgerouter work here?

 

Otherwise, id just look at a used or mini itx system.

 

also look at this http://www.mini-box.com/M350-enclosure-with-picoPSU-80-and-60W-adapter

 

and put a itx board with a atom and dual nics.

 

also look at a system like this

 

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Fanless-Mini-ITX-D2500CCE-PD12TI/dp/B008KB5YCK

Right now, I am unsure, everything is flipped up in the air right now. A LOT of unknowns.

 

Reason I asked the above, is because we are moving into a new house, and I want to get this RIGHT the first time. This is a brand new house. We went to a building company. We picked out the house design, what it looks like, things in it, etc. I wanted to be in charge of networking, and my parents know it. I want to use our current router as an AP system, that will be in our living room. SO, I do not know if Spectrum is going to use their own modem. When they come, I want to be there with my unmanaged switch that I want to install in the basement. Right where the line will come in.

 

SOx2, I do not know if I will have control over my AP. That I will NEED a router in front of the modem.

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, Mind_001 said:

Right now, I am unsure, everything is flipped up in the air right now. A LOT of unknowns.

 

Reason I asked the above, is because we are moving into a new house, and I want to get this RIGHT the first time. This is a brand new house. We went to a building company. We picked out the house design, what it looks like, things in it, etc. I wanted to be in charge of networking, and my parents know it. I want to use our current router as an AP system, that will be in our living room. SO, I do not know if Spectrum is going to use their own modem. When they come, I want to be there with my unmanaged switch that I want to install in the basement. Right where the line will come in.

 

SOx2, I do not know if I will have control over my AP. That I will NEED a router in front of the modem.

If you don't need any advanced router features, id just get a basic wired router like a edge router light. even lower power, easy to use, and more than enough features for this use

[Blebekblebek]

If I remember correctly pfsense doesn't officially support or recommend an USB to Ethernet

If you are looking for small computer for pfsense make sure it support AES-NI for future compatiblity.

there's a lot of option

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-pfsense-box.html

 

with 2,3,4, or even 8 ports for expansion.

That just an example, you can try to look what's available in your area.

[Blebekblebek]

Also never get ATOM based or CELERON J 1000 series, or AMD CPU like E350, older processor doesn't have AES-NI

https://www.netgate.com/blog/pfsense-2-5-and-aes-ni.html